AdminIn Quebec, seniors who need home care are facing an acute shortage of spaces and high costs. This means that some elderly people are getting sicker and even dying while waiting for a spot in a long-term care centre or for a home caregiver. This is a crisis of epic proportions, according to a Montreal-based patient-rights advocate.
The number of elderly Quebecers who are waiting for a spot in a public long-term care centre has almost doubled in the past three years, and the same is true for those who are on wait lists for their first home care visit. “It’s a real emergency, and I fear that this situation will only worsen in the next few months,” said Paul Brunet, executive director of the Conseil pour la protection des malades.
Many families are struggling to provide adequate eldercare with their limited resources and strained public system. In fact, a recent BMO survey suggests that 7 in 10 Canadians are providing financial help to a family member, and this is having a serious impact on their own retirement plans. Dubbed the sandwich generation, these individuals are caught between having to save for their own future and taking care of elderly parents or other loved ones who need help.
While the government offers a few services to assist with home care, they are often only available to seniors with the most severe needs and are usually not enough to cover all of the elderly’s needs. In addition, the cost of private home care is high and may exceed what most families can afford.
Luckily, there are a few ways to get the help you need without breaking the bank. For example, the provincial government has created a program called the Seniors’ Assistance Program that provides assistance to seniors with basic living expenses. This program is designed to help with rent, utilities and meals, and can also be used for other costs that may arise as a result of caring for an elderly parent.
Another option is to find a retirement residence or home care service that offers affordable options. These are typically smaller homes that offer a more intimate setting and can be much less expensive than larger facilities. However, it is important to remember that the quality of care offered and the amount of amenities and services will have a direct impact on the overall price.
For this reason, it is important to contact each retirement home or home care service directly to find out how much a monthly rental fee will be and what is included in that rent. The fees will vary greatly from one facility to the next, so it is crucial to consider your specific circumstances when making this decision. elderly home care montreal